NFL Odds: Cincinnati Bengals 2018 NFL Betting Preview

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The Cincinnati Bengals have won a combined 15 games the last two years and are in danger of missing the playoffs for a third straight season for the first time since 2006-08. The Bengals decided to bring back Marvin Lewis for whatever reason, so expectations can’t be that high, but this is still a talented group of players capable of accomplishing something if everything goes well.

The Bengals finished last season 9-7 ATS and have covered eight of their last 11 games when an underdog, so while this club is a rough watch and frustrating, you can make some nice coin picking your spots with Cincinnati. So regardless of what you think of the Bengals in terms of future bets and what they can accomplish on the season, this has been a profitable team game to game.

It always seems like its the same question for the Bengals every year; can Andy Dalton finally take his career to the next level. Dalton is coming off a 25 passing touchdown season, which is tied for the most he’s had in four years, but he completed just 59.9 percent of his passes. Dalton also averages 14 interceptions per 16 games for his career, which isn’t good considering he doesn’t do enough to counter those numbers. The Bengals have talent across the board, but it’s tough to win in this league when you don’t have a guy who can takeover in big moments.

The Bengals finished last season 26th in points scored and dead last in total yards. Keep in mind the Bengals have one of the best receivers in the NFL in A.J. Green, a stud young running back in Joe Mixon and a pretty good No. 2 receiver in Brandon LaFell. Having John Ross return from injury will help, but it’s about time Dalton puts on the big boy pants and becomes a reliable quarterback that his contract suggests he is.

Last year the Bengals were about an average team defensively, finishing 16th in points allowed and 18th in yards allowed. A defensive line of Chris Baker, Michael Johnson, Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap has a chance to be one of the better defensive fronts in the league. The addition of young linebacker Preston Brown was a massive pickup for the Bengals, as he’s one of the better players at his position who doesn’t get much national credit. Carl Lawson is coming off his all-rookie season, and the young Bengals secondary finished eighth last season with 3,379 passing yards allowed.

There’s enough talent on this Bengals roster for them to be a dark horse AFC contender. The problem is we’ve said that for the last five years it feels like. Eventually you have to say the Bengals are who they are and it won’t change until they either make an upgrade at quarterback or finally, finally, finally make a head coaching change. If this season doesn’t result in some playoff progress, we could actually see both at the end of the year.

Cincinnati Bengals win AFC North: Yes +1000 / No -1500 (It’s the same song and dance with the Bengals every year and while the Steelers are beatable, they’re not as trustworthy as the Ravens. Cincy isn’t winning this division.)

Cincinnati Bengals make playoffs: Yes +450 / No -675 (While I don’t see the Bengals winning the division, the playoffs aren’t out of the question. This is a talented team that just needs Dalton to play like a respectable quarterback for things to break. There’s value with the Yes.)

Bengals Season Win Total 6.5: Over -145 / Under +125 (The Bengals have won less than seven games just three times in the last 13 years. This is a playoff caliber roster, so there’s no reason to take the under here.)

Bengals Super Bowl Odds: +10000 (I hate Marvin Lewis and Dalton as much as the next guy. Yes, the Bengals aren’t winning the Super Bowl this season. However, this team has the same odds as the Cleveland Browns to win the championship? Um, what? Again, this is a playoff caliber roster, and you don’t get these prices often when you have a team that can at least make the postseason. Give me these odds and I’ll have plenty of hedging room if they sneak into the postseason.)

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